Standard Services

Our fundamental goal of the laboratory is to build and maintain a long term collection of wildlife DNA samples by archiving biological materials such as tissue, hair, blood, feathers, scales, bone, teeth and buccal swabs.

This provides analysis of the sample(s) when rush services are not required. Samples are processed FIFO and typical turn-around is four to five weeks. Special cases and difficult samples may take longer and additional charges may apply.

Table - Responsive
Service Description

Species Identification

To identify the species of the sample for samples that are unknown, cooked, mixed or partially degraded.

Parts/Identity Matching

To determine individual identity of the sample for matching of parts and/or contribution to mixtures.

Relatedness

To determine relationship of the sample for parentage, kinship and relatedness.

Gender Typing

To determine gender of the sample.

Blood Characterization

To determine the origin of the sample as being human or non–human.

Expert Testimony

Now available

The resultant analysis can be used as evidence in the pursuit of criminal prosecution for the case. Samples that are submitted can be any biomaterial:

  • Tissue
  • Skin
  • Hair
  • Blood
  • Feather
  • Talon
  • Claw
  • Horn
  • Antler
  • Saliva
  • Bone
  • Tooth
  • Egg
  • Semen
  • Buccal swab

Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications

book cover photo of "Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications"

The continued development and integration of wildlife forensic science as a field will be critical for successful management of the many significant conservation issues related to the illegal wildlife trade and wildlife law enforcement. The Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory examines, identifies, and compares evidence using a range of scientific procedures and instruments, to link suspect, victim, and crime scene with physical evidence. A helpful textbook in wildlife forensics is: Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications.

The book provides an accessible and practical approach to the key areas involved in wildlife forensics. The book contains numerous global case studies throughout the text that take the reader from the field, to the lab analysis to the court room, giving a complete insight into the path of forensic evidence and demonstrating how current techniques can be applied to wildlife forensics. With numerous global examples of various types of wildlife crimes, this is a useful reference for the application of forensic techniques to the field of wildlife crime. It covers a number of different areas in forensics, entomology, hair identification, use of DNA for individualization and species identification. The book contains approaches that wildlife forensic investigators and laboratory technicians can employ in investigations and effectively illustrates various methods through case studies. It provides the direction and practical advice required by legal and wildlife conservation officers seeking to gain the evidence needed to prosecute wildlife crimes.

Contact Us

Campus Address

ESU Innovation Center
(570) 422-7892

Director

Nicole Chinnici
nchinnici@esu.edu